CREATIVE APPROACHES to MANAGING CONFLICT in AFRICA Findings from USIP-Funded Projects

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

CREATIVE APPROACHES to MANAGING CONFLICT in AFRICA Findings from USIP-Funded Projects CREATIVE APPROACHES TO MANAGING CONFLICT IN AFRICA Findings from USIP-Funded Projects Edited by David R. Smock UNITED STATES INSTITUTE OF PEACE CONTENTS Summary v 1 Innovative Diplomatic Initiatives 1 2 NGOs Engaged in Preventive Action 5 3 Democratic Reform and Reform of African Militaries 8 4 Training for Peacemaking 14 5 Building on Locally-Based and Traditional Peace Processes 16 6 Humanitarian Aid and Conflict Prevention 22 7 Culture of Peace 25 Notes 27 About the Grantees 28 About the Editor 29 About the Institute 31 v chaos and tragedy that warring African countries are not the norm. Nor will the existing wars last forever. Many wars have ended, and even in countries where tension and violence still prevail there are impressive examples of efforts to manage conflict. This publication identifies some programs, pro- jects, and interventions that have succeeded, and indi- cates the wide applicability of some. Lessons are SUMMARY drawn from each case about how either to replicate successes or turn past failures into future success. Case material is drawn from many parts of the African continent—from Liberia, Ghana, Nigeria, Angola, South Africa, Mozambique, Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Eritrea, Uganda, Zaire, Mali, Benin, Tanzania, Burundi, and Rwanda. The cases cited are not isolated anecdotes, but provide empirical findings linked to broader theories of peacemaking. - Innovative American Diplomatic Initiatives Her- man Cohen asserts that the United States has a special image in Africa and in turn a unique role to play in peacemaking and peacebuilding there. To he purpose of this essay is to share some play this role effectively, the State Department’s lessons of projects which have identified or im- Africa Bureau needs to make full use of U.S. em- Tplemented innovative approaches to managing bassies in key African countries; give American Africa’s conflicts, and examine their potential applica- ambassadors in the field maximum leeway; coopt bility to other conflicts there or elsewhere. All the pro- the U.S. national security community in its efforts; jects described in this Peaceworks have been start early; and bring multilateral agencies into the supported by grants from the U.S. Institute of Peace. process at an early stage. Each of the directors of these Institute-assisted pro- jects was asked to distill project lessons regarding - African Mediation Gilbert Khadiagala points out peacemaking in Africa with applicability beyond the that the greatest strength of African mediators lies specific cases dealt with in their projects. Their state- in their proximity to the disputes and their under- ments were then edited and adapted for inclusion in standing of historical context. But neighborly in- Peaceworks. terest does not necessarily translate into capacity for effective mediation. African mediators often do INNOVATIVE APPROACHES not have the necessary information available to them to be effective. The use of heads of state as The need for innovative approaches to managing con- mediators is usually constrained by their inability flict in Africa is immediately evident from daily head- to devote the extended time that intensive and lines about war and killings in such countries as prolonged mediation requires. Rwanda, Burundi, Liberia, Sudan, Zaire, and Somalia, and growing tensions in others such as Nigeria. - NGOs Engaged in Preventive Action Barnett In assessing the state of war and peace in Africa one Rubin describes the effect of the Burundi Policy must, however, balance the daily tragedies in these Forum in assisting NGOs to form innovative part- countries with the impressive achievements of peace nerships with governments and multilaterals that and increasing normalcy in others like South Africa, are trying to limit further violence in Burundi. Namibia, Mozambique, Uganda, Eritrea, and Zim- Elizabeth Cabot and Sir John Thomson report babwe. The fact that there are remarkable stories of on a collaborative project between the Minority successful peacemaking in many African countries Rights Group and the United Nations in planning helps to remind the predictors of continent-wide a strategy for the UN and other external powers to vi help reverse the process of state and societal col- the importance of local peace initiatives in the lapse in Zaire. Their principal recommendation is Horn countries which use the traditional peace- that priority be given to the stimulation of civil so- making roles of elders and rely on traditional ciety in Zaire from the grassroots upward. The peacemaking methods. Wal Duany describes a role of external actors should be limited to that very significant peace process in 1993, built on of catalyst, offering information and modest traditional practices, organized to manage intra- financial support. ethnic conflict among the Nuer of southern Su- dan after 1,300 people had been killed. Maxwell - Democratic Reform and Reform of African Mili- Owusu describes the critical peacemaking roles taries Julius Ihonvbere argues that religious con- of traditional chiefs as well as church leaders in flict in Nigeria largely arises from political Ghana. Wolfgang Heinrich reveals the very lim- manipulation, and that the most effective means ited effectiveness of the introduction of district of managing it is through the introduction of gen- councils to manage conflict in Somalia during uine democratic reforms. Robin Luckham points 1993-95, primarily because the councils were out that the democratic transition underway in viewed as rivals of traditional clan structures, as many African countries must include special at- well as because the UN was too rigidly prescrip- tention to the future role of African militaries, tive and hasty in its efforts to organize them. civil-military relations, and consideration of whether the military is best controlled by exclud- - Humanitarian Aid and Conflict Prevention Pren- ing it from politics or by recognizing and institu- dergast outlines a series of guidelines to ensure tionalizing its political role. Eboe Hutchful that humanitarian aid contributes to peace rather describes the instructive process through which than exacerbating conflict. Aid givers, he says, Ghana’s civil authorities have achieved democra- need to do independent assessments of needs, be tic control over Ghana’s military. The process was astute and flexible in the types of aid provided, facilitated by the fact that Ghana’s democratically study the effects of targeting and distribution elected president has a military background and methods, commit to independent monitoring brought special knowledge of the military to his and evaluation, and promote intercommunal civilian leadership. trade and exchange. - Training for Peacemaking Hibaaq Osman de- - Culture of Peace Carolyn Nordstrom points out scribes the effectiveness of a training program for the degree to which a “culture of peace” that rein- Somali women in conflict resolution and the im- forces progress toward peace and reconciliation pact it is having at village and district levels. The has developed in Mozambique in the post-settle- most notable finding is the impact that women ment period. She also contrasts Mozambique can play as peacemakers even in a male-domi- with Angola, where no parallel culture of peace nated society like Somalia. has appeared. - Building on Locally Based and Traditional Peace Processes John Prendergast illustrates 1 conflict were unique. In addition, the countries’ politi- cal and economic systems differed widely and the conflicts were at different stages when the Africa Bureau launched an initiative. Nevertheless, there are some general conclusions worth drawing from the Bureau’s experiences in dealing with these conflicts. NNOVATIVE First, says Cohen, working-level decision-making I and willpower can make a difference. As assistant sec- DIPLOMATIC retary, Cohen decided to push the policy envelope as much as possible. He and his colleagues pursued a 1INITIATIVES highly activist approach, with considerable energy ex- erted by American embassies in Africa, and with ex- tensive personal diplomacy by American diplomats. The Africa Bureau also engaged in a vigorous policy of bringing other national security agencies on board. (If the Africa Bureau had decided to pursue a relatively passive policy, higher political levels would probably not even have noticed, much less criticized them.) While the Bureau did not justify its activist approach as “vital to U.S. national security interests,” Cohen and his colleagues were able to demonstrate that they could pursue their goals within existing resources uring the 1980s and early 1990s, the and without damaging other U.S. interests. The high- United States was the most active and effec- est-level policymakers understood this approach, had Dtive diplomatic force in efforts to resolve confidence in their judgment, and let them proceed. Africa’s many civil wars, though after the debacle in The United States has a special image in Africa Somalia, the United States has progressively with- that no other country has. The sole remaining super- drawn from its activist program and more of the bur- power exercises a special influence in Africa, particu- den of peacemaking has been passed to Africans. One larly in conflict situations where frightened project examining diplomatic initiatives draws protagonists need psychological bolstering by a neu- lessons from American intervention in Africa during tral entity. The experience of the Africa Bureau in the the Bush administration, and another assesses
Recommended publications
  • Salam Kanaan CARE Country Director in Palestine West Bank and Gaza
    Salam Kanaan CARE Country Director in Palestine West Bank and Gaza Is a development and humanitarian professional with over 30 - years of experience with international organizations, the UN, academic and research institutions in the Middle East. With academic background in Health and Education from the American University in Beirut, Ms. Kanaan has worked in several organizations including UNRWA, and the British Council in Amman, the World Bank, CARE and Save the Children in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). She joined CARE International as the Country Director in Jordan mid- through end October 2018, where she then transitioned to lead CARE in Palestine. Ms. Kanaan has extensive knowledge of strategizing, implementing, coordinating and leading development and emergency programs. Expertise includes leading and managing change, excellent understanding of key trends in international development, and the ability to create solutions for working in complex environments. Ms. Hibaaq Osman Founder and CEO, Karama. Hibaaq Osman is the founder of Karama, a movement to end violence against women, and deliver sustainable, inclusive peace and democracy in Africa and the Middle East. Hibaaq’s work has seen her lead reconciliation and peacebuilding in her homeland of Somalia, campaign for justice and recognition for Korea’s ‘comfort women’, and supporting grassroots women activists to build constituencies and secure their rights in the wake of the Arab revolutions. Named one of the world’s 500 Most Influential Muslims, Hibaaq is a member of the UNAOC's Women's Alliance for Peace, and has previously served on a number of advisory groups and boards, including UN Women’s Civil Society Advisory Group, and the board of Donor Direct Action.
    [Show full text]
  • Programme Conference Final
    The implementation of UNSCR 1325 on women, peace and security in the countries of North Africa and the Middle East In the light of the revolutionary movements in many North African countries which started in early 2011 important transformation processes have been set in motion in the region. NATOs Pubilc Diplomacy and Political Affairs and Security Policy Divisions and Konrad- Adenauer-Stiftung have decided to hold a conference on the transitions in North Africa and implementation of UNSCR 1325 on women, peace and security in order to raise the awareness of both the special needs of women as well as their potential. The aim of the conference will be to discuss the added value and effectiveness of an increased participation of women both during armed conflicts and in the political side of transformation processes and will identify best practices within the countries concerned. Another aim of the conference is to engage political/military leaders to adopt a top-down approach in ensuring the integration of UN resolution 1325. The event will connect active women’s rights activists from Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Jordan and Morocco with stakeholders which deal with different aspects of Security Sector Reform processes. In Libya after the Arab League asked the United Nations Security Council to impose a no-fly zone over Libya in March 2011 in order to prevent killings of civilian protesters by Libyan armed forces the U.N. passed a resolution to authorize the use of military force 1 against Muhamar Gadhafi. A coalition of American and European forces began enforcing the no-fly zone and the arms embargo which was then quickly taken over by NATO.
    [Show full text]
  • IOB Evaluation IOB Evaluation Evaluation of the MDG3 Fund | IOB Evaluation | No
    IOB Evaluation | no. 401 IOB Evaluation | no. IOB Evaluation Evaluation of the MDG3 Fund ‘Investing in Equality’ (2008-2011) Evaluation of the MDG3 Fund | IOB Evaluation | no. 401 | Evaluation of the MDG3 Fund | IOB Evaluation | no. 401 | Evaluation of the MDG3 Fund | IOB E Evaluation of the MDG3 Fund IOB Evaluation Evaluation of the MDG3 Fund ‘Investing in Equality’ (2008-2011) April 2015 Preface Preface In the course of 2007, a series of country-wide consultations were held on the future of Dutch development cooperation. These culminated in the so-called Schokland agreements, Schokland referring to the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Netherlands, where the agreements were signed. One of these agreements reflected the recognition that abolishing the stand-alone budget for women’s rights and gender equality in the early years of the new Millennium had not been a wise decision. Amidst increasing conservative opposition that was threatening what they had fought over for years, women’s organisations in developing countries had seen their resources decline at a time when realisation of MDG3 concerning gender equality was seriously lagging behind. Moreover, gender mainstreaming was not living up to its promises. Against this background, the minister for Development Cooperation decided to introduce the MDG3 Fund with the ambitious aim of realising concrete improvements in rights and opportunities for women and girls in developing countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia. This evaluation informs on how the MDG3 Fund has been put into practice and what is | 3 | known of its results. It was conducted by senior evaluator Paul de Nooijer and policy researcher Kirsten Mastwijk from the Policy and Operations Evaluation Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands in collaboration with ACE Europe, a consultancy company based in Belgium.
    [Show full text]
  • A Global Study on the Implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 View the Global Study At
    A Global Study on the Implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 1325 View the Global Study at: http://wps.unwomen.org/en The views expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of UN Women, the United Nations or any of its affiliated organizations. For a list of any errors or omissions found subsequent to printing please visit our website. ISBN: 978-0-692-54940-7 Design: Blossom – Milan Printing: AGS Custom Graphics, an RR Donnelly Company ©2015 UN Women Manufactured in the United States All rights reserved A Global Study on the Implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 1325 4 FOREWORD Ban Ki-moon United Nations Secretary-General Fifteen years ago, Security Council resolution 1325 this priority with its emphasis on gender equality and reaffirmed the importance of the equal participation respect for the human rights of all. and full involvement of women in all efforts for maintaining and promoting peace and security. In the The Global Study on the implementation of resolution years since, it has buttressed this decision by adopting 1325 is an important part of the United Nations six further resolutions on women, peace and security. global agenda for change to better serve the world’s most vulnerable people. As noted by the High- I am personally committed to implementing these Level Independent Panel on United Nations Peace resolutions. I have highlighted women’s leadership Operations and the Advisory Group of Experts for the in peacebuilding as a priority and appointed an 2015 Review of the United Nations Peacebuilding unprecedented number of women leaders in the Architecture, changes in conflict may be outpacing the United Nations.
    [Show full text]
  • The New Dynamics in the Inclusion
    The new Chapter dynamics in the 4 inclusion and empowerment of young women This chapter assesses the varying es of young women today, the degrees to which young women struggle against injustice and in Arab countries are empow- the triumphs over injustice. ered or disempowered, included The chapter shows how a new or excluded. Setting aside the generation of young feminists stereotypes of subordination, is challenging the considerable it presents a nuanced picture barriers creatively and with de- of the changing circumstanc- termination. 4.1 My resignation is a warning to the government“ and a protest against its inability to evaluate the needs of The women. ” Nawal Al-Samaraie, tendering her resignation as challenges 1 facing young Minister of Women’s Affairs, Iraq women in in the eligibility for citizenship through marriage or through the birth of children. In 13 Arab coun- Arab tries, laws do not allow foreign spouses to gain citizenship through marriage to women who are citizens, and, in 10 countries, citizenship cannot countries be assigned to children through mothers only.4 In some countries, children can gain citizenship Various barriers restrict the freedoms of women in through their mothers only in certain cases, for areas such as law, politics, education and employ- example if the father is unknown or has died or ment in several countries, where discrimination if there has been an irrevocable divorce. Women often occurs in an environment of socially tolerat- can apply for passports without the permission of ed violence. However, across and within the Arab their husbands or guardians in only 12 countries.5 countries, the reach of injustice can vary sharply.
    [Show full text]
  • Conference Report „Implementation of UNSCR 1325 on Women, Peace and Security in the Countries of North Africa and the Middle East“, 28 Th March 2012
    Conference Report „Implementation of UNSCR 1325 on Women, Peace and Security in the Countries of North Africa and the Middle East“, 28 th March 2012 In the light of the revolutionary movements in many North African countries which started in early 2011 important transformation processes have been set in motion in the region. NATO in cooperation with the Multinational Dialogue on Development Policy of Konrad- Adenauer-Stiftung decided to initiate a conference on the transitions in North Africa and implementation of UNSCR 1325 on women, peace and security in order to raise the awareness of both the special needs of women as well as their potential. The aim of the conference was to discuss the added value and effectiveness of an increased participation of women both during armed conflicts and in the political side of transformation processes. The event in the context of the 1st anniversary of the Arab Spring connected active women’s rights activists from Tunisia, Libya, Jordan and Morocco with stakeholders which deal with different aspects of Security Sector Reform processes. Role models in the region such as Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Tawakkol Karman from Yemen and peace activist, Hibaaq Osman from Somalia, who both participated actively in the conference and briefed NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen on the situation in the region, advocated for an increased inclusion of women in the decision-making processes. In her key note address the Nobel Peace Price Laureate not only drew attention to the fact that UNSCR 1325 starts with the protection of women and children and the responsibility of the international community to protect - citing the example of Syria, but also aired her concern that the current transition processes in the region sideline the initial triggering actors – Women and the Youth – in the set-up of new decision-making structures.
    [Show full text]
  • Barcelona Paper Tripp
    Why Do Authoritarian Regimes Adopt Quotas: Lessons from African Cases Aili Mari Tripp Professor of Political Science and Gender & Women’s Studies University of Wisconsin-Madison [email protected] ABSTRACT Since the mid-1970s, but especially since the mid-1990s, international and internal domestic pressures have mounted to improve women’s political representation. This study asks why non- democratic countries in Africa have adopted quotas to promote women’s representation in legislatures when they are not especially interested in promoting other civil, political and human rights? It explains the adoption of quotas primarily in terms of changing international norms, donor and domestic women’s movement pressures, conflicts with Islamists in some countries, as well as postconflict impacts. Regime type does not impact level of representation in Africa, however, it does impact what women can do once in parliament. This paper briefly explores what difference women parliamentarians have made in non-democratic countries like Rwanda and Sudan and Tunisia under Ben Ali and contrasts them with hybrid regimes like Uganda under Yoweri Museveni. Introduction Women’s political representation, particularly in legislatures, has been one important arena for advancing women’s status. Since the mid-1990s, international and internal domestic pressures have mounted to increase women’s political representation through the use of legislative gender quotas, leading to increases in representation throughout the globe and to a situation where one finds non-democratic countries like Rwanda, with the highest rate of legislative representation of women in the world. This study asks why do non-democratic states adopt gender quotas and other female friendly policies when they are not especially interested in promoting other civil, political and human rights? It also situates the adoption of quotas alongside other measures to promote women’s rights in order to gauge the depth of commitment to a women’s rights agenda.
    [Show full text]
  • Violations of Academic Freedom 82 the Rights of Students 83 Academic Freedom and Faculty Rights 84 Settler University Violates International Law 84
    WORLD UNIVERSITY SERVICE Academic Freedom 2 A HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT * EDITED BY John Daniel, Frederiek de Vlaming, Nigel Hartley, Manfred Nowak Zed Books World University Service Academic Freedom 2 was first published in 1993 by Zed Books Ltd, 57 Caledonian Road, London NI 9BU and 165 First Avenue, Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey 07716, in association with the W orld University Service, 5 Chemin des Iris, 1216 Geneva. Copyright © W orld University Service Cover designed by Andrew Corbett Typeset by W orld University Service Printed and bound in the United Kingdom by Biddles Ltd, Guildford and King's Lynn All rights reserved Tue right ofthe authors ofthis work has been asserted by them in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library US CIP is available from the Library of Congress ISBN 1 85649 219 2 Hb Contents About the Contributors Vll 1. Introduction The Editors 1 Academic Freedom and International Instruments 3 World University Service and Human Rights 6 2. The Right to Education_: lts Significance and Limitations Manfred Nowak 8 The History of the Right to Education 8 The Meaning of the Right to Education 10 Violations 13 Conclusions 14 3. Burma (Myanmar) Martin Smith 17 Political Background 17 Social and Economic Background 18 General Human Rights Situation 20 The Education System 21 The Right to Education 26 Discrimination 28 Academic Freedom 30 Limitations on Freedom of Association 36 Limitations on Freedom of Expression 38 4. Lebanon Anonymous 42 Socio-economic Conditions 43 The Education System 45 Human Rights 46 The Right to Education 48 Academic Freedom 50 5.
    [Show full text]
  • Update on the Situation of Women Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Ottawa
    Français Home Contact Us Help Search canada.gc.ca Issue Papers, Extended Responses and Country Fact Sheets Home Extended Response to Information Request SOM32804.EX 20September1999 Somalia: Update on the situation of women Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Ottawa This Extended Response updates information in the April 1994 IRB publication Human Rights Brief: Women in Somalia, available in Regional Documentation Centres and on the IRB REFQUEST database. In cases where updated information could not be found and in cases where the information in the 1994 publication has not changed, the section has been excluded. General Situation in Somalia Different regions in Somalia are currently experiencing varying degrees of stability and governance (Menkhaus and Marchal 1999, Executive Summary; UNHCR Mar. 1999, 6-11; UNCHR 18 Feb. 1999, para. 32). In northwestern Somalia, the self-proclaimed state of Somaliland, which is not recognized by the international community, has a certain level of stability and governance (Menkhaus and Marchal 1999, Executive Summary). The Somaliland administration has created a tax systerm (UNCHR 18 Feb. 1999, para. 103; Home Office Mar. 1999, 4.9; Menkhaus and Marchal 1999, Executive Summary) police force, courts, and basic education and health care systems (ibid.; Home Office Mar. 1999, 4.9). Although Somaliland has continuing problems of corruption, weak administrative capacity and disputed authority (Menkhaus and Marchal 1999, Executive Summary), including occasional conflict in the eastern regions of Sanaag and Sool (UNCHR 18 Feb. 1999, para. 102), the economic situation in the region is improving (ibid., para. 103) and there is greater stability than in most other regions in Somalia (Menkhaus and Marchal 1999, Executive Summary).
    [Show full text]
  • Perspectives on Human Rights a Series of Essays, Working Papers and Research on Current Issues in Human Rights
    Volume 1, Number 1 Georgetown Law Human Rights Institute Perspectives on Human Rights A series of essays, working papers and research on current issues in human rights 5 Stations on the Way to Damascus: Protecting Human Rights During and After Conflict Bela Kapur November, 2014 Georgetown University Law Center | 600 New Jersey Ave. NW | Washington, DC 20001 www.humanrightsinstitute.net 5 Stations on the Way to Damascus: Protecting Human Rights During and After Conflict BELA KAPUR* Abstract Numerous factors, some of which are human rights abuses, cause armed conflict. Armed conflict also prolongs, expands and, in most cases, intensifies human rights abuses. Human rights abuses are therefore both a cause and consequence of armed conflict. Since the end of World War II in particular, the international community has developed a relatively robust set of international legal rules and principles aimed at protecting human rights in conflict situations. Yet serious abuses persist, thereby making it evident that the “law” alone is insufficient to protect human rights, not least in times of conflict. This Working Paper sets out some of the perceptions, dilemmas and uncertainties that have emerged in the mind of the author after nearly 20 years of working to uphold international human rights law during conflict and in ‘post conflict’ transitions. The Paper highlights some of the difficult practical relations and tensions between principles, critical thinking, pragmatism, compromise and humility when it comes to protecting human rights during and after conflict. To illustrate this interplay, the author maps out a professional and personal journey by way of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Libya and finally to the city of Damascus in Syria.
    [Show full text]
  • Conf/Dem(2014)Syn1
    WINTER SESSION Committee on Democracy, Social Cohesion and Global Challenges CONF/DEM(2014)SYN1 SYNOPSIS OF THE MEETING OF 24 JANUARY 2014 THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE ON DEMOCRACY, SOCIAL COHESION AND GLOBAL CHALLENGES The Committee on Democracy, Social Cohesion and Global Challenges met on 28 January 2014, in Strasbourg, chaired by Anne-Marie Chavanon. On her behalf and on behalf of the Vice-Presidents, Israël Mensah and Vera John- Mikolajewski, the President opened the meeting by offering the Committee her best wishes for the New Year under the sign of Dialogue and Democracy. The Committee then 1. adopted the agenda with the addition of a miscellaneous point on the creation of a new working group 2. adopted the synopsis of the meeting of 26th June 2013 [CONF/DEM(2013)SYN2] 3. adopted the 2013 activities report without any amendment 4. Local democracy: what kind of Democracy do we want? discussed practices of local democracy with the participation of - Alfonso Zardi, Head of the Democratic Institutions and Governance Department of the Council of Europe, presented the programme of the European Conference of Ministers responsible for Regional Planning (CEMAT) and the missions of the new European Committee on Democracy and Governance, calling for partnership with NGOs. He said a statement on territorial democracy was being prepared and would be submitted to Ministers at the next CEMAT organised on 17 June 2014, under the Greek European Union Presidency. - Jo Spiegel, general counsellor of the Haut-Rhin, Kingersheim Mayor and Vice- Chairman of the Grand Mulhouse agglomeration, co-author of Making (re) birth of democracy, outlined his vision of democracy and cited some actions implemented through his mandates.
    [Show full text]
  • Programme of the Lisbon Forum 2016
    Lisbon Forum 2016 Migration and human rights How to structure effective collective action? Best practices and shared knowledge in the Mediterranean and European space 24-25 November 2016 Ismaili Centre, Lisbon Programme Lisbon Forum 2016 Lisbon, 24-25 November 2016 Programme Migration and human rights: how to structure effective collective action? Best practices and shared knowledge in the Mediterranean and European space Thursday 24 November 2016 8:30 Registration of participants 09:00-10:00 Welcoming words Mr. Nazim AHMAD, Representative of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) Amb. António GAMITO, Executive Director of the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe Opening and Introduction to the Lisbon Forum 2016 Ms. Lora PAPPA, President of METAdrasi and North-South Prize Laureate 2015, Chair for the Lisbon Forum 2016 Ms. Claudia LUCIANI, Director, Directorate of Democratic Governance, Council of Europe Mr. Eduardo CABRITA, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, Portugal 10:00-10:30 Introductory Statement – Life testimonies Ms. Mina JAF, Founder and director, Women Refugee Route, Danemark Ms. Hanifa KARIMI, Voices of Young Refugees in Europe (VYRE), Afghanistan Adam, Global Platform of Syrian Students, Syria Followed by a film about the setting up of a Rapid Response Mechanism for Higher Education in Emergency Situations 10:30-11:00 Coffee break 11:00-12:40 Plenary session I: On the move for human rights Chair: Mr. Pasquale LUPOLI, Senior Regional Advisor for Europe, International Organization for Migration (OIM) Rapporteur: Ms. Irina ALEXIEVA, Executive Director, School of Politics, Bulgaria Ms. Anastasia CHRISTODOULOPOULOU, Vice-President of the Hellenic Parliament, Greece Mr. Abbas ALMAHARMEH, Mayor of Sahab, Jordan Amb.
    [Show full text]